The plan this year is to host the snowshoe on Thursday Nights. If Thursday is a bad night for you please let me know. So far Thursday seems to work for most people most of the time.

In keeping with last year's tradition there will usually be a Leisure Group and an Adventure Group. Groups and difficulty are highly dependent on the individuals who participate that day. Group leaders set the pace based on the ability of participants to stay together (more or less).

Leisure Group departs at 6pm ish and is a NO DROP group but that doesn't mean we don't get our heart rate up so please be prepared for 1.5 +- hours of exercise over the infamous Newport Town Forest terrain.

Adventure Group departs at 5:30pm SHARP and is for those pulse pounding, go anywhere, do anything, hard core types. 2+- hours of adventure seeking on snowshoes awaits you, you'll be in good company and won't be disappointed!

If this sounds like fun to you, we welcome you to join us for one week or many. Snowshoe will commence as soon as conditions merit it (i.e. the ground is frozen and there is enough snow to cover it). Post up here or contact me otherwise if you are interested. I will be posting here as well as sending out an email to my snowshoe distribution list.

Please bring snowshoes, a light, a change of clothes for after (unless you like being wet and cold when you leave), and not required but desirable if you bring a food or drink to share as we will congregate after for a post snowshoe feast and story telling at our cozy little apartment. I will post up here what people are bringing so please coordinate what you bring with this list.

I have 1 spare set of snowshoes and 3 spare lights but they are given out on a first come first serve basis and may already be spoken for. If you don't have snowshoes or a light but would like to give it a try before you buy please contact me in advance to reserve them.

Welcome to another great season of snowshoeing (soon)...

Ryan O'Brien

Two hours, wow! Add me to your list.

I'm getting pretty excited for some adventure snowshoeing!

So, according to Webster, leisurely means "without haste". I DO NOT think this describes any level of your snowshoeing groups, Ryan. We should think about what would be between leisure and adventure--energetic maybe?

Of course no matter what the name of the group is, I think it is wonderful that you and Christina host these outings! I so look forward to trying to keep up with the non-adventure group, no matter what its name is. I only have one conflict a month with Thursday nights.

All we need is some snow and it's open season on snowshoeing!

Ryan

Looking forward to it, but mean while still riding the trails nights and weekends.

I'm interested! My ego says try the adventure, but my brain tells me that's not a good idea :wink:
If we ever get snow, this may make it more bearable.

Would love to have you join us Angela. Sooner or later we will get some snow. I will let people know when the first week starts.

Ryan

UPDATE JAN 6, 2012:

Due to the current weather patterns I'm not sure when winter will arrive in earnest, therefore I have moved running club to my house on Thursday nights until we get some significant snow. Last night we had a party of 4.

Anyone who would like to join us for a run at my house 5:30pm on Thursdays until it's time to snowshoe is welcome. Just be aware the run is more of an Adventure Light run then it is a Leisure Run and there will only be one group running. A good light and steady feet are required, a cushy butt is recommended. Run ranges from 1 hour to 1.5 hours and usually includes a Coit Summit and some bush whacking. Trails are getting pretty icy in spots, traction control devices are recommended from now on.

If those hardy soles out there who are still mtbing wish to continue to do so but would like to hang out after, you are welcome to start and finish at my house.

I make no guarantees about providing food and drink after the run but you are always welcome to bring your sustenance of choice, a change of clothes, and to hang out after.

I will be posting the runs under the Running Forum. Please post up there or otherwise let me know if you can make it.

Ryan

Is this Thursday going to be a run, a snowshoe or will it wall into some no-mans-land in between?

It is my intention to run this Thursday. Weather is looking pretty sketchy but I plan to run either way.

I doubt this will accumulate enough and stick around long enough to have snowshoeing next week but time will tell.

Ryan

I plan to be there.

Bring your running shoes and snowshoes with you. I'm not seeing another 3-7 inches but if we really do get that much, snowshoeing is on for tonight.

Ryan

I grabbed my snowshoes, but forgot to grab my headlamp. Can one of you guys lend me one?

I have extra lights, they are not great but better then nothing.

Be prepared for either a run in the snow or snowshoeing if we get enough and it doesn't rain. There really isn't enough snow for snowshoeing but I don't really care either way.

Ryan

Hey guys, are you snowshoe running? or just hiking. (got a new pair of running snowshoes this year, old ones finally broke...) I'm always looking for new spots and people to run with. Hopefully we'll get some good snow soon. Dying to get out...
 
www.meetup.com/upper-valley-trail-runners/

Last night was running in snow with regular shoes. But weather outlook is positive for snowshoeing next Thursday. I will post up when we get closer to confirm.

Ryan

Looks like snowshoeing is going to wait another week. I'm cautiously optimistic for next week, perhaps the weather will cooperate.

Anyone who is interested in another Adventure Run is welcome to join us this Thu 1/19 at 5:30pm at my house.

Ryan

as much as i love a good adventure run, i think i'm going to wuss out tonight. without any traction devices i feel like i'm asking to get myself hurt. maybe i'll go to ems and get myself outfitted for next week's run instead.

Here is Ryan's Recommendation for Traction Control:

Kahtoola Microspikes - make sure you get a size smaller than you think you need as they need to fit tight.

Hillsound Trail Crampon - not sure how the fit is on these but I would look to something snugger than looser.

When there is ice out there you need something with a bite. I own the Microspikes but I really like the look of the Trail Crampon. Saw these for the first time this weekend. Looks like the Trail Crampon has slightly longer points. I really like the rigidity of the Trail Crampon and think these are ideal for the current conditions. If it was more dirt then snow and ice, I might say the Microspikes are better because the independent spikes will flex under the foot to conform to the surface better which is helpful on dirt but NOT on ice. However the longer spikes and ridged platform of the Trail Crampon may be more difficult for running.

If I didn't already own the Microspikes I would buy the Trail Crampons. I think they are better suited for winter hiking then the Microspikes and would probably be just as good for running.

Ryan

I'm not setup to trail run in these conditions. I'm gonna lay low and hope for snow.

i'm the proud own of a pair of microspikes. count me in for next week's shenanigans.

Good to hear Adam.

I just took a look at this weeks forecast and it is not looking super favorable towards snowshoeing yet. I will call it on Wed but leaning towards running again.

Ryan

that's ok. i like running.

Looks like we are on for running AGAIN.

Ryan